BOARD  OF  STATE  HOUSE  COMMISSIONERS. 


SPECIAL  REPORT. 


To  His  Excellency  John  A.  Martin,  Governor  of  Kansas: 

Dear  Sir  — The  Board  of  State  House  Commissioners  respectfully  sub- 
mit the  following  report  of  the  operations  connected  with  the  remodeling  of 
the  old  Senate  Chamber,  and  the  erection  of  the  center  building  of  the  State 
House,  during  the  year  ending  December  31st,  1885. 

April  2d  the  Board  met,  and  reappointed  E.  T.  Carr  as  Architect  and 
Messrs.  Haskell  and  Wood  assistants;  and  at  the  same  time  instructed 
them  to  prepare  plans  for  the  alteration  of  the  old  Senate  Chamber,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  act  of  the  Legislature  for  that  purpose,  approved  March 
6,  1885,  and  to  submit  such  plans  for  the  approval  of  the  Board  at  their 
next  regular  meeting. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board,  May  8,  plans  were  submitted,  based 
upon  one  of  the  preliminary  sketches  previously  submitted,  informally,  to 
the  members  of  the  Senate,  and  which  had  seemed  to  meet  their  more  gen- 
eral approval.  At  this  stage  in  the  proceedings,  Mr.  Carr  resigned  his 
position  as  Architect,  and  accepted  that  of  State  House  Commissioner,  in 
place  of  the  Hon.  J.  B.  Anderson,  resigned.  The  new  Board  then  appointed 
J.  G.  Haskell  as  Architect  and  L.  M.  Wood  assistant,  as  provided  for  in  the 
act  before  referred  to. 

The  plans  as  previously  submitted  were  then  approved,  and  the  Architects 
instructed  to  complete  them  with  all  possible  dispatch. 

In  preparing  these  plans  and  in  prosecuting  the  work,  many  obstacles 
have  been  encountered,  which  at  first  were  not  anticipated  or  considered  in 
making  the  estimates  of  probable  cost.  These  have  had  a tendency  to  in- 
crease the  cost,  and  in  some  cases  very  materially.  One  important  item, 
not  anticipated,  was  the  strengthening  of  the  entire  roof  of  this  wing,  a 
rigid  inspection  having  disclosed  the  fact  that  while  the  trussing  was  ample 
to  carry  all  that  was  required  as  a roof-load,  it  was  not  sufficient  to  carry 
more  than  a very  light  ceiling.  Consequently  an  entirely  new  ceiling-system 
became  necessary,  and  has  been  put  in  place,  independent  of  the  old  roof. 

In  consequence  of  the  radical  changes  made  in  the  arrangement  of  the 


3 3 6.  9 7 


2 


rooms  from  the  old  to  the  new,  many  other  unforeseen  difficulties  have 
arisen,  all  of  which  we,  together  with  the  Architects,  have  studied  to  over- 
come substantially  and  as  economically  as  the  nature  of  the  work  in  hand 
would  warrant. 

The  apparent  desire  of  the  present  Senate,  and  all  others  who  have  ex- 
pressed themselves  to  us  on  the  subject,  is  to  have  a Senate  Chamber  a little 
better  than  the  Hall  of  Representatives.  To  this  end,  the  Board  have  la- 
bored to  make  it  what  in  their  opinion  the  dignity  of  the  body  meeting  in 
it  should  demand,  and  in  this,  while  the  work  may  cost  more  in  the  end 
than  at  first  contemplated,  they  hope  to  have  the  commendations  of  the 
body  itself. 

Most  of  the  work  so  far  has  been  by  contract,  after  a vei;y  close  competi- 
tion, and  the  amounts  paid  have  been  as  low  as  consistent  with  the  nature 
of  the  work  to  be  performed.  In  some  cases  it  has  been  impossible  to  define 
what  was  to  be  done  sufficiently  to  make  the  necessary  alterations  by  con- 
tract, and  in  such  cases  we  have  instructed  the  Architects  to  have  the 
changes  made  by  days’  work,  under  the  direction  of  the  Superintendent. 
In  this,  we  believe  we  have  done  that  which  was  for  the  best  interest  of  the 
State. 

The  following  are  the  amounts  paid  out  on  account  of  the  east  wing  to 
date,  viz. : 


1885. 
April  2. 
“ 2. 
“ 2. 
“ 2. 
“ 2. 
May  8. 
“ 8. 
“ 8. 
June  4. 
“ 4. 

“ 4. 

“ 4. 

“ 4. 

“ 4. 

“ 4. 

July  1. 
“ 1. 
“ 1. 
“ 1. 
“ 1. 
“ 1. 
“ 1. 
“ 1. 
Aug.  6. 
“ 6. 
“ 6. 


J.  B.  Anderson,  Salary  as  Commissioner 

John  Hammond,  “ “ 

J.  M.  Hood,  “ | 

T.  A.  Butler,  “ “ ... 

E.  T.  Carr,  “ Architect 

American  Architect  and  Building  News,  advertising 

E.  T.  Carr,  salary  as  Architect,  and  expense  account 

Haskell  & Wood,  architectural  and  supervisory  services., 

Henry  Bennett,  first  estimate  on  contract 

Haskell  & Wood,  Architects 

“ “ additional  architectural  services 

Commonwealth  Co.,  advertising 

McCarty  & Shehan,  removing  gas  and  steam  fixtures 

J.  K.  Hudson,  advertising 

Atchison  Champion,  advertising 

Bradbury  & Yandorp,  first  estimate  on  roof 

Henry  Bennett,  second  estimate  on  cornice 

“ first  estimate  on  cleaning  out 

John  Hammond,  salary  as  Commissioner 

T.  A.  Butler,  “ “ 

E.  T.  Carr,  “ “ 

Haskell  & Wood,  salary  as  Architects 

“ “ additional  architectural  services 

Henry  Bennett,  third  estimate  on  cornice 

“ “ building  water  closets  for  offices 

“ “ balance  due  for  cleaning  out 


$150  00 
150  00 
100  00 
50  00 
125  00 
12  40 
148  90 
250  00 
1,500  00 
125  00 
250  00 
14  00 
80  00 
11  80 
14  00 
1,404  00 
2,458  80 
900  00 
150  00 
150  00 
100  00 
125  00 
250  00 
3,024_95 
232  39 
380  00 


3 


Aug.  6.  Henry  Bennett,  raising  roof. $97  90 

“ 6.  Atchison  Champion,  advertising 52  00 

“ 6.  T.  J.  Kellam,  stationery  for  Architect’s  office.... 87  70 

“ 6.  McCarty  & Shehan,  removing  gas  pipe 28  50 

“ 6.  “ “ plumbing  for  office  closets 713  72 

“ 6.  Thomas  Ball,  painting  water  closets 29  75 

“ 6.  Bradbury  & Van  Dorp,  second  estimate  on  roof 1,494  00 

“ 6.  J.  K.  Hudson,  advertising 43  17 

“ 6.  Leavenworth  Times,  advertising 8 75 

“ 6.  Haskell  & Wood,  Architects 125  00 

“ 6.  “ “ additional  architectural  services 250  00 

“ 6.  Martin  Anderson,  Assistant  Superintendent 135  00 

Sept.  10.  Henry  Bennett,  fourth  estimate  on  cornice 4,108  45 

“ 10.  “ “ raising  roof,  and  additional  chimney 266  25 

“ 10.  Bradbury  & Vandorp,  third  estimate  on  roof. 270  00 

“ 10.  J.  G.  Haskell,  salary  as  Architect 125  00 

“ 10.  L.  M.  Wood,  additional  architectural  services 250  00 

“ 10.  Martin  Anderson,  Assistant  Superintendent 130  00 

“ 10.  Leavenworth  Times,  advertising 60  00 

“ 10.  J.  K.  Hudson,  advertising 8 50 

Oct.  13.  Henry  Bennett,  fifth  estimate  on  cornice 4,604  40 

“ 13.  J.  G.  Haskell,  Architect 125  00 

“ 13.  L.  M.  Wood,  additional  architectural  services 251  00 

41  13.  E.  T.  Carr,  salary  as  Commissioner 150  00 

“ 13.  T.  A.  Butler,  “ “ 150  00 

“ 13.  John  Hammond,  salary  as  Commissioner 150  00 

“ 13.  Martin  Anderson,  salary  as  Assistant  Superintendent 125  00 

“ 13.  Bradbury  & Vandorp,  fourth  estimate  on  roof. 450  00 

“ 13.  W.  T.  Cavanaugh,  seal  for  the  Board 4 00 

Nov.  12.  T.J.  Kellam,  stationery 24  52 

“ 12.  Martin  Anderson,  Assistant  Superintendent 135  00 

“ 12.  Henry  Bennett,  material  and  labor 1,853  76 

“ 12.  “ “ sixth  estimate  on  cornice 2,634  90 

“ 12.  Haugh,  Ketchum  & Co.,  first  estimate  on  iron  lathing 3,150  00 

“ 12.  Missouri  Valley  Bridge  Co.,  first  estimate  strengthening  roof. 4,500  00 

“ 12.  McCarty  & Shehan,  gas  fitting 87  00 

“ 12.  “ “ first  estimate  on  steam  heating 1,822  50 

“ 12.  Bradbury  & Vandorp,  fifth  estimate  on  roof. 1,160  00 

Dec.  1.  Robert  Hallahan,  plastering  in  offices 8 50 

“ 1.  McCarty  & Shehan,  second  estimate  on  heating 538  28 

“1.  “ “ gas  fitting 264  27 

“ 1.  Leavenworth  Times,  advertising 31  00 

“ 1.  McCarty  & Shehan,  plumbing 208  17 

u 1.  Joseph  Eastman,  first  estimate  on  plastering 1,350  00 

“ 1.  Martin  Anderson,  Assistant  Superintendent 125  00 

“ 1.  Paulson  & Eger,  first  estimate  on  bronze 14,850  00 

u 31.  Henry  Bennett,  flagstaff. 110  47 

“ 31.  Concreting  in  gallery  and  other  floors 495  00 

u 31.  Davidson  & Sons,  first  estimate  on  marble 10,800  00 

“ 31.  Henry  Bennett,  labor  and  materials 2,315  39 

*l  31.  Missouri  Valley  Bridge  Co.,  balance  of  contract 5,890  00 

■“  61.  McCarty  & Shehan,  radiators,  etc 1,083  32 


? mu* 


4 


Dec.  31.  McCarty  & Shehan,  gas  fixtures $80  CO 

“ 31.  Haugh,  Ketchum  & Co.,  balance  on  contract 602  60 

“ 31.  “ “ “ iron  arch  ceiling 1,345  16 

“ 31.  “ “ “ additional  lathing 382  00 

“ 31.  J.  G.  Haskell,  architect 125  00 

“ 31.  L.  M.  Wood,  additional  architectural  services 250  00 

“ 31.  Martin  Anderson,  Assistant  Superintendent 135  00 

“ 31.  E.  T.  Carr,  salary  as  Commissioner 150  00 

“ 31.  T.  A.  Butler,  salary  as  Commissioner 150  00 

“ 31.  John  Hammond,  salary  as  Commissioner 150  00 

“ 31.  T.  J.  Kellam,  stationery 24  70 


Total  paid  to  date $83,280  87 

Balance  due  on  contracts  when  completed  : 

Paulson  & Eger,  bronze $12,730  00 

Davidson  & Sons,  marble 10,050  00 

Joseph  Eastman,  plastering 5,960  00 

Bradbury  & Vandorp,  vent  pipe  353  75 

Henry  Bennett,  windows 2,844  00 

“ “ concrete 355  00 

$32,292  75 

Total  paid  out  and  contracted  for $115,573  62 


CENTER  BUILDING. 

The  plans  and  detail  work  for  the  exterior  basement  walls  of  this  portion 
of  the  building  have  been  completed,  and  a contract  entered  into  with  James 
Cuthbert  to  build  that  portion  of  the  work.  He  is  at  work  preparing  the 
material,  and  will  be  ready  to  commence  the  work  of  building  as  soon  as 
the  weather  will  permit. 

The  total  cost  chargeable  to  this  portion  of  the  building,  to  date,  is  as 


follows : 

1884. 

Dec.  31.  Expenditure  as  per  report $170,329  85 

1885. 

Jan.  2.  William  Tweeddale,  balance  on  contract 17,649  67 

“ 2.  “ “ curbing  areas 31  15 

“ 2.  “ additional  step  foundations 5,240  08 

“ 2.  J.  B.  Anderson,  salary  as  Commissioner 150  00 

“ 2.  J.  M.  Hood,  “ “ 150  00 

“ 2.  John  Hammond,  “ “ 150  00 

“ 2.  E.  T.  Carr,  “ Architect 125  00 

Feb.  5.  “ “ “ 125  00 

Mar.  5.  “ “ “ 125  00 

Aug.  6.  J.  K.  Hudson,  advertising 21  58 

“ 6.  William  Tweeddale,  walks 4 25 

“ 6.  Leavenworth  Times,  advertising 8 75 

Oct.  13.  T.  J.  Kellam,  stationery 47  50 

Nov.  12.  J.  G.  Haskell,  Architect 125  00 

“ 12.  L.  M.  Wood,  additional  services 250  00 


5 


Dee.  1.  J.  G.  Haskell,  Architect $125  00 

11  1.  L.  M.  Wood,  additional  services 250  00 

“ 31.  James  Cuthbert,  first  estimate 2,122  20 

Total  to  date $197,030  03 


WEST  WING. 

1884. 

Dec.  31.  Total  expended  as  per  last  report $312,752  23 

1885. 

Jan.  2.  T.  II.  Lescher,  door  stops 2 85 

Feb.  5.  Robert  Wood,  gas  fitting 16  30 

“ 5.  Kansas  Plumbing  Co 18  37 

“ 5.  Robert  Wood,  gas  fixtures  and  material. 40  75 

“ 5.  T.  Y.  Emery,  repairing  roof 16  50 

March  5.  Topeka  Sash  and  Door  Factory,  newel,  rail,  etc 44  00 

May  8.  Chas.  M.  Ekstrom 5 25 

Aug.  6.  Henry  Bennett,  setting  iron  guards 49  60 

Dec.  1.  McCarty  & Shehan,  new  plumbing 445  00 

“ 1.  Bradbury  and  Vandorf,  repairing  roof. 156  30 

(t  31.  Henry  Bennett,  flagstaff 110  47 

“ 31.  McCarty  & Shehan,  refitting  basement,  plumbing 245  57 

Total  to  date $313,903  19 


RECAPITULATION. 


Total  paid  out  on  account  of  east  wing $83,280  87 

“ “ “ center  building 197,030  03 

“ “ “ west  wing 313,903  19 

Total  amount  to  date $594,214  09 


Before  closing  this  report,  the  Board  respectfully  beg  leave  to  offer  a few 
suggestions  for  the  consideration  of  yourself  and  all  others  interested  in 
what  they  hope  will  some  day  be  the  pride  of  our  State. 

1.  Considering  that  the  nature  of  the  material  so  far  developed  in  Kan- 
sas, which  is  in  any  manner  suitable  for  steps,  is  at  best  poor,  would  it  not 
be  best  to  dispense  with*  exterior  steps,  and  depend  wholly  upon  the  inside 
stairs  and  elevators?  Or  if  steps  are  to  be  built  outside,  should  they  be  of 
granite? 

2.  In  view  of  the  magnitude  and  importance  of  the  center  building,  and 
the  comparatively  low  price  at  which  granite  can  now  be  procured,  the 
Board  have  contracted  for  granite  to  be  used  for  the  first  courses  of  the 
walls  showing  above  the  grade  line : would  it  not  be  economy  in  the  end, 
and  to  the  best  interest  of  the  State,  to  use  a liberal  amount  of  granite  in 
the  more  important  parts  of  the  work  above,  especially  the  projecting  cornice 
at  top  of  basement,  and  possibly  the  interior  of  rotunda? 

3.  In  all  of  the  capitol  buildings  recently  built,  the  heating  and  other 
work  requiring  fires  is  done  in  buildings  away  from  the  state  house  itself: 
would  it  not  be  well  for  the  State,  at  an  early  day,  to  procure  the  necessary 
ground  upon  which  to  erect  the  necessary  boiler  house,  engine,  and  dynamo 


6 


room,  or  other  means  of  lighting  ? This  could  be  done  on  an  area  of  about 
150  by  250  feet,  and  should  be  situated  somewhere  below  the  buildings  to  be 
heated.  These  buildings  need  not  be  unsightly,  or  offensive  to  the  adjoin-* 
ing  neighborhood. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

E.  T.  CARR, 

JOHN  HAMMOND, 

T.  A.  BUTLER, 

Topeka,  Dec.  31,  1885.  Board  of  State  House  Commissioners. 


•* 


